Large standing upright black bear

[Jason Smith]

I have another black bear in and its a big enough bear for a standing upright and my customer wants that pose.My question is who is the best bear sculpter and who are they threw.I dont get a dozen bears in a year so i havent weeded threw enough to know, and i rather not have to spend forever working on the form to get it anatomically correct.I know there is going to be some as with most, but I would like to start with the best thats out there.The last one i did i spent longer on the form then the whole mounting process.
 Thanks

[Jason Smith]

Okay before you come on here and crawl all over me George i know you will say Jon Schmidt is the best and you still have to work on them, but less then the rest,but I am asking all who will answer

[Matt]

There are some good ones out there, but most will need some altering in places. I like John's bears and use them alot. I also like Rayline's, I use them when ever I can.

[Jason Smith]

i should add it 5 1/2x 35x68 and i know the girth will be more when the hide relaxes and opens up more

[Jason Smith]

thanks Matt all is helpfull

[Hoytman]

I'm on bear number 38 with 9 more to go from the 2011 season. I prefer Schmidt forms for Lifesize and try to use them when I can. I order them through vandykes/McKenzie. Photos of the forms can be found in the vandykes catalog.  I've used Rayline in the past on a couple, they have nice big heads, but lack anatomy IMO in the body.  I use their heads quite often.

[boarhunter67]

I would narrow it down by which ones have the poses you want with the least alterations.  I did a life size standing a couple of years ago and I only found one or two that fit my measurements not counting the head which had to be changed out anyway and I still had to alter it some.